In an age where digital interaction is commonplace, understanding online safety has become crucial. Children, often more digitally active than adults, need guidance to navigate this complex realm responsibly. ELGA Credit Union has stepped up to the challenge, instilling essential online safety habits in young minds.

Embracing Safe Online Practices

On a bright Tuesday morning, representatives from ELGA Credit Union, including Amanda Hardy and the charismatic Riley Evoy (or “Goldie” to the students), arrived at Rolland-Warner 5-6 Campus and Ruth Fox Middle School. Their mission: to teach the importance of crafting secure passwords and shielding personal information online.

The students, wide-eyed and eager, participated in interactive lessons that emphasized digital safety in everyday activities like gaming and social media. Understanding digital risks and making wise decisions online were key takeaways from the session.

Financial Literacy for the Future

The day’s events were part of the LEAF (Lapeer Education Attainment Fund) Education Day, a collaborative effort by ELGA Credit Union and the Lapeer County Community Foundation. The initiative, supported by the Lapeer County Intermediate School District, offers each kindergarten student a free Children’s Savings Account, seeding their future financial success early.

Financial educators like Taylor Neely, Samantha Blaha, and Alaina Schultz supplemented the program by teaching students to recognize digital threats and adopt safe online practices. According to The County Press, this proactive approach ensures that children are not only prepared but empowered to protect themselves and their finances.

Building Financial Habits Early

LEAF accounts enable students to actively save for future career training or college expenses. The idea is simple yet powerful: empower children through active participation. Each of the 14 schools in the LEAF network holds an annual Education Day focused on money recognition and values, fostering a foundational understanding of financial responsibility.

Continuing the Legacy

ELGA Credit Union and the LCCF plan to expand their educational reach across the county, ensuring that all students, from kindergarten through sixth grade, develop a sound understanding of financial literacy, digital safety, and their interconnectedness.

For those looking to learn more about the futuristic vision of LEAF, visit lapeercountycf.org/leaf/. The initiative continues to bridge the gap between traditional education and the digital realities of the modern world, preparing our youth for a secure and prosperous future.